Fluid lift pump



G. At HUMAsoN 2,016,433

FLUID LIFT PUMP Oct. 8, 1935.

Filed May 23, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet l gmc/vwo@ G. A. HUMASON FLUID LIFT PUMP Oct. 8, 1935.

Filed May 25, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 G. A. HUMASON FLUID LIFT PUMP Oct. 8, 1935.

Filed May 23, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 7 4 .n I I l l I l l III 1 \---}l Il L ...1 N, L A 0 5 5 w 6 8 4l 3 AI z 1 55 7 I zu A. n

3 f u`\\\\ N 6 m 71 W//e f7 Aff/maso n Oct. 8, 1935.

G. A. HUMASON FLUID LIFT PUMP V- Patented Oct. 8, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLUllllihlslsPUltIP l Claims.

This invention relates to a uid lift pump.

f An object of the invention is to provide means for discharging liquid lfrom wells by the use of an operating fluid, such as air or gas, under 5 pressure.

Another object is to provide a pump of the character described having a cylinder and an auxiliary plunger, or piston, therein with means .for reciprocating the plunger during the application of the operating fluid, whereby the liquid in the Well may be agitated and the operating uid assisted in expelling the liquid from the Well.

' Another object is to provide a pump of the character described of such construction that the operating fluid may be applied to its work through a tube within the discharge pipe, or through the well casing. y

Another object of the invention is to provide, in an apparatus of this character, means creating a suction through the discharge pipe to assist in discharging the liquid beingpumped.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel means 'for relieving the gas4 from the well which may accumulate in the casing outside o! the pump mechanism. ,K

The invention also comprehends means for tilizing the gas from the well as an operating uid.

With the above and other objects in view this invention has particular relation to certain novel features of construction, operation and arrangement of parts, anv example of which is 'given in this specification and illustrated in the accom panying drawings, wherein:

Figure l shows a vertical sectional view of the upper end of the pump proper.

Figure 2 shows a vertical sectional view of the lower end threof.

Figure 3 shows a vertical sectional view of the upper end of a modied form Alof the pump.

Figure 4 shows a cross sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of Figure n1.

Figure 5 shows a cross sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 shows a Vertical sectional view of the upper end of the pump showing another modification.

Figure 7 shows a vertical sectional view of the 0 upper end of the pump showing still another modification.

.' Figure 8 shows a cross sectional view taken on the line 8 8 of Figure 6.

Figure 9 shows a side elevation partly in section of the upper end of the well casing, and the pump discharge tube, and showing'the means for applying the operating iiuid;

Figure 10 shows a horizontal cross section o! the control valve mechanism emplaoyed.

Figure 11 shows al vertical sectional view showing a complete pump of the type shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 1.2 shows a side elevation, partly in section, of the completel pump of the Vtype illustrated in Figure 3.

v Figure 13 shows a side view, partly in section, showing a complete pump of the type villustrated in Figure 6, and

Figure 14 shows a side view, partly in section, of a complete pump of the type illustrated in 15 Figure 7.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, wherein like numerals of reference designate similar parts in each of the figures, the numeral l designates a well casing in a well. 20 Referring to the form shown in Figures 1 and 2,

i the numeral 2 designates the discharge tube which extends up to the top of the well and at its upper end is connected to the hanger 3 oi.' any conventional-construction and which is support- 25 vved on the casing head l attached to the top o! the well casing.

Attached to the lower end of the discharge tube 2 there is along coupling 5 having the ducts 6 which lead inwardly therethrough from the space 30 between said coupling and the well casing and whose inner ends are turned upwardly and are controlled by the-upwardly opening valves 1 whereby the gas accumulating in the casing around the pump proper' may be admitted into $5 the discharge tube 2. These valves 1, however, may be located at any desired point along the tube 2. Connected to the lower end of the coupling 5 there is the head 8 which has the flow conduits 9 leading from'the lower tothe upper 40 end thereof. Ihe lower end of this head is reduced at I0 and depending from said reduced end is the sectional tubing Il. The upper end of the head 8 contains a stuiiing box I 2 through which the tubular sucker rod I3 operates and 45 beneath said stuing box the axial bore through the head is enlarged forming a cylinder Il which continues on down through the sectional tubing H and in which the plunger I5 is mounted to p reciprocate, said plunger being attached to and reciprocable by the tubularl sucker rod Il.

Above the .lower end of thelA cylinder the tubing4 H is enlarged externally fo'rming the external annular shoulder I6 and upwardly diverging ducts I1 lead from within the cylinder through said u shoulder and these ducts are normally closed by a sleeve valve I8 which surrounds the tubing and normally rests on said shoulder to close said ducts. The sucker rod |3 has suitable outlets I 9 above the plunger I5, through which an operating fluid forced down under pressure through the sucker rod may be discharged through the ducts I1 when the plunger is in its lower-most upwardly diverging ducts 23 above said valve` through which the fluid passing through the valve cage may be discharged from said cage and the upper ends of these ducts 23 are normally` closed by the upwardly opening sleeve valve 24.

An inlet pipe 25 is connected to the lower end of the cage 23 by means of the coupling 26. This pipe 25 may be perforated forming a screen or may have a screen attached thereto and set in the well opposite the oil bearing strata in the usual way.

There is a surrounding tubular shell, or housing, 21 whose upper end is ared forming a seat to receive the lower end of the head 8 and whose lower end closely surrounds the valve cage 20, thus forming a collection chamber in the shell. Upper and lower packing 28 and 29 from seals between the head and the upper end of the shell and between the valve cage 20 and the lower end of the shell respectively.

With the pump submerged in the liquid of the well, van operating fluid may be forced under pressure down through the sucker rod I3 and, when the sucker rod is in its lower position, the operating uid will pass through the ducts I1 and will elevate the liquid above on up through theshell 21, and the channels 9 into and through the discharge tube 2. The valve I8 will lift to permit the discharge of the operating fluid into the liquid above and as said liquid is displaced, the liquid from the well beneath will flow up through the valve seat ,2| past the valve 22and through the ducts 23, the valve 24 lifting to permit this, and the liquid from the well may thus be discharged in a constant stream up through the discharge pipe 2 and hanger 3 and outthrough the flow line 30 into a suitable receptacle such as tank 3|. The Ilow line 30 may be equipped with a conventional back pressure valve 321 i1' desired.

At times it may be desired to reciprocate the plunger I5 and this may be donethrough the sucker rod I3 in the usual way. Upon up stroke of the plunger liquid will be drawn into the cylinder I4 from beneath through the valve seat 2| `and upon down strnke of the plunger the liquid so drawn in will be forced up through the ducts 23 past the valve 24 and when the plunger reaches the limit of its downward stroke the operating fluid will act as hereinabove described to force l the liquid on up through the discharge tube.

Y The sucker rod I3 is tted through a, suitable stuffing box 33 in the upper end of the hanger 3 and if it is to be reciprocated, should have a flexible hose connection with the supply pipe 34 through which the operating lluld is supplied to it 'It win be noted that the Shen 21 forms a.V hous- If desired the head 8 may have one or more in- 5 lets as 35 into the upper end of the cylinder I4 and thesey inlets may be controlled, if desired, b y inwardly opening back pressure valves 36, but in the combination shown in Figures 1 and 2 the inlets 35 are closed by theremovable plugs 3E. 10 If desired an operating iluid may also be introduced through the branch 31 into the well casing outside of the tube 2 and this operating fluid will pass in through the ducts 6 to assist in elevating the fluid. l5 There is a conventional compressor 38 having an inlet line 39 for the operating fluid and by means of which said operating iluid is compressed and delivered through the line 34, or 31, as the case may be. These lines 34 and 31 are equipped 20 with the valves 40, 4| by means of which they may be opened or closed. The line 34 may be also equipped with a control Valve mechanism hereinafter more specically to be described and the' line 31 is equipped with the valve 4I. line 39 may be connected, if desired, into the top of the tank 3| whereby the gas accumulating in said tank may be utilized as operating :duid and thereby a suction will be created through the ilow line 30 and the discharge tube 2 and will assist 30 in the discharge of the liquid from the well, vThe line 39 may be equipped with a valve 42 for'controlling the same. f

In case the well begins to voluntarily flow the excess liquid will flow through the casing outside 35 of the discharge tube 2 and may be delivered into the top of the tank 3| through `the pipe 43 which is connected into the casing head and into the top of said tank and which is controlled by a shut off valve 44 and a back pressure valve 45. 40 I Ordinarily the valve 4| will be closed and thel valves 40, 42 and 44 open and the operating fluid will be forced by the compressor 38 down through the sucker rod I 3, the liquid being returned through the discharge tube 2 and now-line 3Il"into 45 the tank 3| and the casing head gas passing through the pipe 43 into said tank. The oil accumulating in the tank I may be delivered through the delivery line 46 which yis normally closed by the gate valve 41. In case it is desired 50 to deliver the operating fluid through the sucker rod |3 and through the branch line 31 simultaneously, the valves 40, 4I may be simultaneously opened for that purpose, and the valve 44 closed.

As shown in Figures 3 and 12, the sucker rod 55 I3 is formed solid rather than tubular and is employedfor operating the plunger for the purposes hereinabove stated. In this form the head 8 is'substantially similar to the head 8, shown in Figure 1, but a packing 48 is provided between 00 u said head and casing beneath the inlet ducts 35 entering the top of the cylinder I4, through the head 8 and shown plugged up in Figure l. In

, this form the operating iluid is all delivered through the branch line 31 into the casing and 65 passes in through the ducts 35 and when the plunger I5 is in its lowermost position, said operating fluid will pass out through the ducts I1 lifting the valve I8 and elevating the fluid .which has flowed in-through the valve seat 2| 70 The inlet 25 of the coupling I which contains the annular` Iso connected to the discharge pipe 2 by means of a plain coupling 49 and the lower end of the pressure line 5|] is threaded into the gland of the stuihng box I2 in said head. The line 50 may be maintained centered in the discharge pipe by means of a spider, or spiders, 56'. the form shown in Figures '7 and 14, the head 8 is connected to the discharge pipe 2 br means valve seat 52 clamped in place by the valve cage 53 which confines the upwardly opening ball valve 54 controlling said seat. In this form the upperfend of the gland I2 is closed by the plug 55. The head Bshown in Figures 6 and 13 has the inlets 35 controlled by the inwardly opening valves 36, but in the form shownin Figures 7 and 14 the valves 36 may be omitted, if desired.

In each of these forms shown in Figures 6, 7 and 14 there is a floating plunger I5 and it is to be if understood that in each of these forms the lower end of' the tubing II will be of the same construction as shown in Figure 2 and controlled by the same. type of standing valve mechanism as that shown in said Figure 2, and these forms are also equipped with the shell 21 and have the packing 48 to form a seal between the discharge pipe and outer casing I beneath the inlets 35.

In the form shown in Figures 6 and 13 the operating fluid may be forced down through the pressure line 50, in the same manner/asthrough the sucker rod I3, of Figure 1, and will force the plunger I5', beneath, downwardly and the liquid that may have risen in the 'cylinder beneath said plunger will be forced out through the ducts I1 and on up into the discharge tube, and when the upper end of the plunger I5 clears said ducts I'I, the operating uid will issue out through said ducts into the liquid and will further elevate the liquid. The operating fluid may also be forced down through the casing and will pass in through lthe inlets 35 and operate against the plunger I5 beneathv for the purpose indicated.

In the form shown in Figures 7 and 14 the operating iiuid will be forced down through the casing and through the inlets 35 and will operate against the plunger I 5 beneath to actuate said plunger in the manner and with-the results as described in connection with the description of Figure 6, and as the liquid is elevated it will pass up through the seat 52 and be trapped by the valve 54.

The pump should be submerged in the well liquid and when the forms shown in Figures 1, 2, 6 and 9 are employed the operating uid should be intermittently applied and released; when applied the plunger will be forced downwardly as hereinabove explained, and when rewill be cut off, and the liquid in the well will Arise passing in through the standing valve mechanism and elevating the plunger above the ducts I'land thereupon the pressure will be again applied to force the plunger downwardlyto elevate the liquid trapped beneath as hereinabove explained.

The upper end of the plunger I5' is equipped with a resilient packer 56 arranged to form a seal with the shoulder 51 at the upper end of the cylinder I4 so as to prevent the passage of liquid up into thepressure pipe 50, of Figure 6, or out through the opening 35, of Figure '1, in case of internal pressure in the Well.

For the purpose of providingl for the intermittent application of the operating fluid, a control Inv of the operating fluid to the end that said opvalve mechanism has been nincorporated into 'the .supply pipe, or line, 34. This control valve mechanism comprises a valve casing 56 in which Ithere is mounted a rotary valve 59 having a longitudinal passageway 60 therethrough. Fixed on the stem 5 of alignment with the supply pipe 34. When in alignment the operating fiuid will be delivered asv hereinabove explained vand when the plunger I5 or I5', as the case may be, clears the ducts I'I 15 the operating fluid will be released through said ducts, into the iiuid being elevated and thereupon the passageway 6U will move out of alignment with the supply pipe 34 so as to cut off the application erating fiuid will not continue to accumulate and resist the upward movement of the plunger. However, compressor 38 will continue to operate and while the supply pipe 34 is closed by the valve 59 the compressed iluid from the compressor 38 will 25 be delivered through the branch pipe into a suitable compression tank 66 located adjacent or forming a. compartment within the tank 3l. When the passageway 60 aligns with the supply pipe 34 the accumulated fluid in the tank 66pwill 80 be delivered through the supply pipe 34 along with the fluid being compressed by the compressor 38. The operating fluid may be simultaneously delivered through the casing and through the sucker rod I3, of the forms shown in Figures 1`, 2 35 and 9, and through the casing and pressure pipe 50, of the form'shown in Figure 6, by simultaneously opening valves 40, 4I but in the forms shown in Figures 3 and 7 the valve 40 lshould be closed and the valve 4I allowed to, remain open so that 40 the operating fluid will be applied to the work only through the casing and around the tubing. The drawings and description disclose what is now considered to be a preferred form of the invention by way of illustration only, while the IlV ing a discharge tube, a cylinder at the lower end 60 of the tube, a shell or housing about the cylinder having upper and lower seals between the housing and cylinder and forming a chamber between the housing and cylinder, there being a channel connecting the chamber with the discharge tube, 55 valve means for controlling the inlet of the liquid from the well into said cylinder and chamber, a plunger in the cylinder, said cylinder having an outletduct leading into the chamber and controlled by the plunger, there being a channel 00,

through which an operating fluid may be introduced into the cylinder above the plunger.

2. A pump of thev character described comprising a discharge tube, a cylinder at the lower end of the tube, a shell or housing about the cylinder 65 having upper and lower seals between the housing and cylinder and forming a chamber between the housing and cylinder, there being a channel connecting the chamber with the discharge tube, valve means for controlling the inlet of the liquid from the well into said cylinder and chamber, a plunger in the cylinder, said cylinder having an outlet duct leading into the chamber and controlled by the plunger, there being a channel duced into the cylinder above the plunger and an outwardly opening valve controlling said duct.

' 3. A pump of the character described comprising a discharge tube, a cylinder at the lower end thereof, a housing forming a chamber about the cylinder, said pump having a channel for the discharge of liquid from said chamber into saidv discharge tube, a plunger in the cylinder, there being a channel through which an operating fluid may be introduced into the cylinder above the plunger to force the plunger downwardly, said cylinder having an outlet duct leading into the chamber and arranged to be cleared by the plunger upon such downward movement of the plunger, a standing valve structure arranged to control the inlet of the liquid from the well into the cylinder and chamber.

4. A pump of the character described comprising a discharge tube, a cylinder at the lower end of the tube', a pressure line for introducing an operating uid, under pressure, into the upper end of the cylinder, a housing forming a chamber about the cylinder, there being a channel connecting said chamber into said discharge tube, a plunger in the cylinder arranged to be moved downwardly by said fluid, said cylinder having a discharge duct leading into the chamber and arranged to be cleared by the plunger upon its downward movement to permit the release of said operating huid into said chamber to expel the liquid therein into said discharge tube, a standing valve mechanism arranged to control the inlet 'of liquid from the well into the cylinder and chamber whereby the plunger may be elevated above said duct upon such release of said operating fluid and means for limiting the upward movement of the plunger by internal pressure in the well.

5. A pump of the character described comprising a discharge tube, a cylinder at the lower end of the tubea pressure line for introducing an operating fluid under pressure into the upper end of the cylinder, a housing within and spaced from the well easing and forming a chamber about the cylinder, there being a channel connecting said chamber into said discharge tube, a plunger in the cylinder arranged to be moved downwardly by said iluid, said cylinder having'a discharge duct leading into ,the chamber and arranged to be cleared by the plunger upon its downward movement to permit the release of said operating uid into said chamber to expel the liquid therein into said discharge tube, a standing valve mechanism arranged to control the inlet of liquid from the well into the cylinder and chamber whereby the plunger may be elevated above said duct upon such release of said operating iluid, and an outwardly opening valve controlling said duct.

GRANVILLE A. HUMASON. 

